?? What is the function of the ductus arteriosus in the fetal heart??

Question

Refering to Fetal Pig project

Answer 1

The ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary artery with the aorta. The ductus arteriosus causes blood to bypass the uninflated lungs in an infant. Once in the aorta, blood flow is basically the same as in extrauterine life.

Answer 2

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The ductus is a vascular connection between the pulmonary artery and aorta in the fetus. It's job is to prevent blood from going to the lungs of the fetus (its lungs are not functioning and collapsed while in the womb); and shunt the blood to the aorta where it goes to the rest of the body. When the baby takes its first breath after birth and cries, it automatically goes into spasm (hopefully) and blood would then flow to the now functioning and inflated lungs where it will be oxygenated and sent back to the heart --> aorta --> then the rest of the body. In the womb the blood can bypass the fetal lungs because it's already oxygenated when it comes from the mom through the placenta.

Answer 3

Ductus Arteriosus Function In Fetus

Answer 4

Just to add to the above answer. The reason the fetal heart shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta is because fetal blood does not need to be oxygenated the same way as in adult life. Oxygenated blood is already received via the umbilical cord attached to the placenta.